Quick, healthy breakfast foods or after-school and post workout snacks can be hard to find. A delicious and refreshing smoothie is certainly one answer! No matter how obscure the ingredients get, smoothies always seem to turn out delicious. Smoothies, though often thought of as a summer beverage, are perfect year round. Smoothies provide a good source of protein, fruits, vegetables and hydration. A blender is needed for best results, but the purchase is worth it.

My current favorite smoothie combination is:

• 1 banana (preferably without brown spots)
• 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries
• 3/4 cup of milk (whole or skim)
• Ovaltine chocolate powder (amount depends on preference)
• 1 teaspoon of honey

The frozen blueberries act as a substitute for ice, which can be hard to blend. The recipe makes a single serving, but it’s just as easy to double or triple it and stick the left-overs in the fridge for a midnight snack.

For a protein boost, try blending:

• 1 banana (preferably without brown spots)
• 3/4 cup of milk
• Peanut butter (amount depends on preference)
• 2 teaspoons of honey

The healthy fat in peanut butter is a good source of fuel for before a workout or a post-workout recovery drink. This ingredient combination makes for creamy, ice-cream-like smoothies that are also good for dessert!

Other ingredients to consider combining for more smoothie recipes are peaches, frozen mangos, watermelon, mint, kale or spinach. The greens might sound a little strange, but once blended, they’re undetectable in terms of taste. Try the recipes above or get artsy in the kitchen and experiment on your own to make a delicious and satisfying drink.